dumb joke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dumb joke" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a joke that is considered silly, foolish, or lacking in intelligence. Example: "He told a dumb joke that made everyone roll their eyes, but he thought it was hilarious."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

I kept thinking, "What a dumb joke".

The New York Times

It's a dumb joke about and homage to chef tattoos.

The New York Times

@Matt--Romney Matt Romney I repeated a dumb joke.

The New York Times

Sometimes a dumb joke is a smart move.

The New Yorker

Two kinds of marijuana, and two kinds of dumb joke.

The Guardian - Opinion

Baby has one identifying mark: the plot's one concession to a low-class dumb joke, unfortunately recurring.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

But with a lot of dumb jokes.

The New York Times

"He does dumb jokes but in a very smart way".

The New York Times

There's no end to the dumb jokes.

The New York Times

On the question of dumb jokes, "One Man" sides with the American stand-ups.

The New York Times - Arts

It's a clever joke for people who love dumb jokes.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dumb joke" to describe humor that's simple or intentionally unsophisticated for comedic effect. It's suitable when the lack of cleverness is part of the appeal.

Common error

Avoid using "dumb joke" in formal writing or professional settings. More neutral terms like "uninspired humor" or "simplistic joke" might be more appropriate for these situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dumb joke" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "dumb" modifies the noun "joke". It indicates a particular quality or characteristic of the joke, suggesting it lacks intelligence or sophistication. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dumb joke" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a joke lacking intelligence or sophistication. While primarily used in informal contexts, Ludwig's examples show its presence in news and media. The phrase functions as a noun phrase and serves to express disapproval or amusement. For more formal settings, alternatives like "uninspired humor" may be more suitable. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English, as evidenced by numerous real-world examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

idiotic joke

Emphasizes the lack of intelligence or reason behind the joke; slightly stronger in tone.

foolish joke

Highlights the silliness or lack of good judgment in the joke.

silly joke

Focuses on the playful or lighthearted nature of the joke, though implying it lacks depth.

stupid joke

A more direct and common way to express that a joke is not intelligent.

lame joke

Suggests the joke is uninspired and unoriginal.

weak joke

Indicates the joke is ineffective and doesn't land well.

corny joke

Implies the joke is old-fashioned and predictable.

banal joke

Suggests the joke lacks originality and is uninteresting.

absurd joke

Highlights the nonsensical or illogical aspect of the joke.

asinine joke

A more formal and less common way of saying a joke is extremely foolish or unintelligent.

FAQs

How can I use "dumb joke" in a sentence?

You can use "dumb joke" to describe a joke that is not clever or intelligent. For example, "He told a "dumb joke" that no one laughed at".

What can I say instead of "dumb joke"?

You can use alternatives like "silly joke", "foolish joke", or "stupid joke" depending on the context.

What does it mean when someone says something is a "dumb joke"?

Saying something is a ""dumb joke"" typically means it's considered unintelligent, not very funny, or even offensive. The intent may be to criticize the joke's lack of cleverness.

Is it always negative to call something a "dumb joke"?

While often used negatively, calling something a ""dumb joke"" can sometimes be affectionate or self-deprecating, acknowledging that the humor is simple or lowbrow but still enjoyable.